UK Warns of Eritrean Entry Ban Unless Returns Are Accepted

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood warned that she will prohibit Eritreans from entering the UK unless the Eritrean government accepts additional returns of small‑boat migrants and foreign nationals with no right to remain.

Effective Thursday, Eritrean diplomats will be limited to travel within London, and fast‑track visas for VIPs will be suspended.

In the past, ministers have pressured other nations to accept returns by threatening visa bans.

Eritreans were the most frequent nationality among small‑boat migrants in the past 12 months, representing 18% of arrivals, external, according to figures from the House of Commons Library.

The Eritrean embassy in London has been contacted for comment.

“Eritrea has had every opportunity to accept the return of criminals and individuals with no right to be in the UK. Unlike other nations, it has refused,” said Mahmood.

She added that she would not hesitate to impose further measures on any country that refuses to cooperate.

The UK government accused the Eritrean authorities of abruptly withdrawing cooperation earlier this year.

The restrictions prohibit diplomats from traveling more than 60 km beyond London without permission.

The Home Office said this mirrors restrictions placed on British officials in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital.

Earlier this year, the UK threatened bans against Angola, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Restrictions on the DRC were announced last year, but the Home Office said they have been lifted after cooperation on returns improved.

Angola and Namibia both agreed to changes prior to the introduction of restrictions.

When announcing changes to the UK’s asylum system in November, Mahmood said visa penalties would be applied to countries that fail to cooperate with return policies.

Penalties included an “emergency brake” on visas for countries with high asylum claims until they accept back citizens residing in the UK illegally.

Home Office data shows that over 20,400 people have arrived in the UK by small boats since the start of this year, a 40% decline from the same period last year.

Between July 2025 and June this year, there were more than 40,600 returns and deportations from the UK, representing an 8% increase compared with the same period last year.

Of those returned, fewer than 6,000 have been convicted of a criminal offence.

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